Stuff Happens

David Hare’s Stuff Happens is a historical, political drama about the U. S. Invasion of Iraq. Dealing with real life events and people, it is performed as an ensemble piece by the Final Year Acting Students at WAAPA.

Performed on Riley Tapp’s clean, panelled stage, projections and vision help create a myriad of locales including The White House, Downing Street and hotel rooms. The rapidly changing settings are also differentiated by Bradley Hodgkiss’ lighting, with sound design by Matthew Clark and composition by Patrick Middleton adding emotion.

In a play where the vast majority of characters are male, actors have been cast across gender lines. Interestingly, female actors are costumed as women, with high heels and feminine suits, by designer Kara Roosseau, who also uses colour to distinguish between the different nations, in a subtle but beautiful and clever design scheme.

Four performers play just a single character, the major players in this political tussle. Jarryd Dobson leads the cast as George W. Bush, nailing his mannerisms and voice patterns in a very convincing and layered performance. Shannon Ryan is a sympathetic and surprisingly believable Tony Blair. James Thomasson brings depth to the moral quandary faced by Colin Powell, with Teresa Moore creating a sophisticated and intelligent portrayal of Condoleezza Rice.

The remaining cast play multiple roles with conviction, making strong decisions and creating clear distinctions. Particularly memorable were Cameron Rouse’s John McCain - particularly poignant this week, Adam Mark’s moving moments as an Iraqi exile, Will Bartolo’s angry journalist and Lily Stewart’s Paul Wolfowitz. Accent work throughout was excellent, under the direction of voice and dialect coach Luzita Fereday, with Sam Corlett’s Hans Blix, Jessie Lancaster and Kian Pitman’s Dominique De Villepin and Jean-David Levitte and Mia Morrisey’s Palestinian Academic being especially notable. Jimi Rankin’s Brit in New York gives a unique perspective in a special scene. Michael Cameron, Thomas Jackson, Mikayla Merks and Ellen Robson round out this strong ensemble.

Stuff Happens is not an easy show to watch, both from the rage you feel as an audience for the situation and for the intricacy of the story. The standard of the performances makes it a riveting watch, well worth maintaining your concentration in the middle of a busy week. A rewarding and moving production.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Jon Green